From one mama to another

I recently came across this quote by C. S. Lewis, which made me think immediately about my experience of becoming a mother:

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.

I attended a breastfeeding support group (At Hudson Valley Hospital Center, for your local folks - Linda is the best there is!) and feel like it saved me. I attended my first group when my son was only 3 weeks old and met so many wonderful, supportive women, who were all going through many of the same things I was - or would soon go through. I was very shy at first, but it helped so much, just to listen to the conversation, maybe occasionally I would get up the courage to introduce myself to the person next to me. When I did have a question, everyone was so forthcoming, and helpful, and supportive. Before long, I found myself at the group with a toddler, sharing my own breastfeeding experiences with new mothers. I felt a very strong connection with these women. Some I never saw again, some I still (almost 3 years later) consider friends.

I remember the first time someone said to me, "This is so hard, isn't it?" And it was such a relief to know that someone else felt like I did. That new motherhood wasn't bliss every second of every day. That this new person in my life caused me to fight with my husband like never before. And that I was so, so, so tired and just wanted a few minutes alone without having to go nurse this baby...

Of course, those early days with the new baby were miraculous, too. The idea that I kept another human alive with only milk that my body made for six-plus months, I still consider it one of my greatest accomplishments. And the joy cannot be denied. But I think having a strong network of support made the good better, too. I gained confidence in my mothering that I don't know I would have felt without other people telling me that it was all going as it should, that it was okay to trust myself and my instincts, and that it was okay that it felt overwhelming sometimes.

So this is the first blog post I'm making to the public (previous posts were 'tests' as my website was being designed) as I launch my new website for my documentary-in-progress, Supply and Demand: Uncovering Breastfeeding in America. Here I will be posting about the progress of this film as well as interesting information, links, and even sometimes humor I come across in my research about all things breastfeeding. I dedicate this blog to all of you wonderful ladies, and to lactation consultant Linda LeMon, who inspired me to make this film, which I hope will help many other women to become mothers, too.

I hope you'll visit often, via this blog or facebook, and also email me to get on our mailing list, share your own story, or pass on interesting (or infuriating!) links or news about breastfeeding!